Fat Grafting

As we age, our natural collagen that provides much-needed elasticity beings to break down. Goodbye subcutaneous fat, and hello wrinkles! Fat grafting can come to the rescue to restore a youthful, fresh look to your face without skin removal or stretching. It also lends a more natural look than other restorative procedures, such as facelifts. In addition to being used as facial fillers, fat grafting is also emerging as a new Beast-enhancing or reconstruction technique, but what exactly does it entail?

What is Fat Grafting?

The process is also called autologous fat transfer, free fat transfer, micro lipoinjection, or simply, fat injections. The autologous material (in this case – fat) is taken from one part of the body and moved to another much-needed area. As an injectable filler, your own fat can be transferred to your lips, nasolabial folds, under the eyes, cheeks and even breasts. The fat is generally harvested from other areas as a by-product of liposuction. Seeing that it is your own tissue, there is little to no risk of developing an allergic reaction to the process.

The Pros and Cons of Fat Grafting

The idea of transferring fat from one area of your body elsewhere sounds like a dream, and fat grafting makes this possible. Your own tissue is used instead of implants or chemical compounds, so the area will appear smooth and natural, with a very low risk of allergic reaction.
 
The main downside of fat grafting is that your body reabsorbs the fat-at least to some degree. On average, approximately 30% of the fat is reabsorbed within the first week. After the new cells have settled and new blood vessels have formed, the transplanted fat cells will become permanent. In extreme cases, some of the injected fat may die, leading to necrosis. A lot of this depends on how the fat was removed, treated, and much was reinjected, and where. As with all cosmetic procedures, it is paramount to find an accredited, qualified practitioner to do the job.

Best Candidates for Fat Grafting

This may seem a tad obvious, but to increase your chances of a successful fat graft, you need to be in good health and not suffer from any pre-existing medical conditions. If you have a history of poor overall health, fat grafting may not be the best option for you, as the wounds may very well not heal properly. Remember to be realistic about your expectations. While fat grafting is permanent, it is important to keep in mind that not all cells will survive on the same level. As time goes by, patients may want to consider a rejuvenation treatment.